Head of State Referenda Bill
Head of State Referenda Bill
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Head of State Referenda Bill
Head of State Referenda Bill
Member's Bill
92—1
Explanatory note
This Bill provides for the holding of 2 referenda on proposals to reconsider the matter of New Zealand’s head of State.
The first referendum is taken on proposals to determine the matter of New Zealand’s head of State. If one of the three proposals receives a majority vote, that proposal will be implemented. If a majority of votes in this referendum are for the proposal to retain the present head of State, there will be no further referendum. If not, the two options receiving the highest number of votes will be subject to a final, binding referendum.
Clause by clause analysis
Clause 1 is the Title of the Bill.
Clause 2 provides for the Bill to come into force the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent, with the exceptions of those that will come into force following declarations by the House of Representatives and the Returning Officer regarding results of the referenda.
Clause 3 sets out the purpose of the Bill which is to provide for the holding of 2 referenda on proposals to reconsider the matter of New Zealand’s head of State.
Clause 4 defines terms used in the Bill.
Clause 5 states that this Act binds the Crown.
Clause 6 states that a referendum (the ‘first referendum’) will take place in conjunction with the next general election on the proposals contained in this Bill.
Clause 7 sets out how the provisions of the Electoral Act 1993 relate to the conduct of the first referendum.
Clause 8 states that the first referendum will be conducted using the resources of the general election.
Clause 9 sets out how electors in favour of the proposal may nominate scrutineers.
Clause 10 sets out how nominations for scrutineers are to be lodged.
Clause 11 sets out how scrutineers will be appointed.
Clause 12 states that the selection of scrutineers will be signed by the Returning Officer.
Clause 13 states that persons selected to be scrutineers must also sign papers.
Clause 14 sets out the powers and rights of scrutineers.
Clause 15 states that any remuneration of scrutineers must not be paid out of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose of conducting the first referendum.
Clause 16 sets out the method of voting.
Clause 17 sets out the procedure for spoilt ballot papers.
Clause 18 sets out which voting papers will be rejected as informal.
Clause 19 states the procedure for the declaration of result of first referendum.
Clause 20 sets out the procedure for a vote recount.
Clause 21 sets out the procedure for the declaration of the results of the first referendum following the elapse of the time of application for recount.
Clause 22 states how sections of Electoral Act 1993 apply to a petition for inquiry under this Bill.
Clause 23 sets out the procedure for a petition for inquiry into the results of the first referendum.
Clause 24 states that the Court must determine whether the result of the referendum is void at the conclusion of the trial of a petition for an inquiry.
Clause 25 states that if a referendum is declared void, a new one must take place in the same manner within 30 working days.
Clause 26 makes attempts to interfere with or influence voters on the day of the referendum an offence.
Clause 27 provides the Returning Officer power to remove statements, names, emblems, slogans, or logos that attempt to influence voters on the day of referendum.
Clause 28 makes obtaining other people’s voting papers, and retaining one’s own voting papers after leaving the polling booth, an offence.
Clause 29 provides powers to the Governor-General, by Order in Council, to make regulations within the purpose of this Act to apply certain provisions of the Electoral Act 1993, and other provisions concerning methods of obtaining special votes.
Clause 30 states that within 12 months a further referendum (the ‘second referendum’) must be held on the two options for head of State that polled the most votes in the first referendum
Clause 31 states that the wording of the voting paper to be put to electors in the second referendum is specified by the Governor-General by Order in Council.
Clause 32 states that the referendum roll used for the second referendum must be the same as that used for the first referendum.
Clause 33 provides for the implementation of the result of the second referendum.
Clause 34 states that the provisions of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000 apply for the purposes of the second referendum.
Clause 35 sets out consequential amendments and repeals.
Clause 36 sets out the process by which the House of Representatives appoints the head of State.
Clause 37 sets out the processes which occur if no nomination for head of State receives 75% or more of votes cast.
Clause 38 states that the Clerk of the House of Representatives must declare the final decision of the House of Representatives by notification in the Gazette.
Clause 39 states that the head of State holds office for a period not exceeding 5 years.
Clause 40 states that on the expiry of the term of office of the head of State, a subsequent head of State must be appointed by resolution of the House of Representatives.
Clause 41sets out the processes for nomination of candidates for election of head of State.
Clause 42 states that every elector is qualified to be nominated as a candidate for the election of head of State.
Clause 43 states that the nomination paper must be lodged with the Chief Electoral Officer not less than 30 days before the date fixed for the election of head of State.
Clause 44 states that the provisions of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000, with any necessary modifications, apply for the purposes of the election of head of State.
Clause 45 states that the head of State election must be conducted by the Single Transferable Voting electoral system (STV) using Meek’s method of counting votes.
Clause 46 sets out which voting papers must be rejected by the Returning Officer as informal.
Clause 47 states that the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000 applies for the purposes of counting the votes and dealing with vote papers, and that the Returning Officer must declare the result of the election by giving public and Gazette notice of the results.
Clause 48 states that the head of State elected holds office for a period not exceeding 5 years.
Clause 49 states that on expiry of the term of office of the head of State, a subsequent head of State must be elected by electors in accordance with the necessary provisions of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000.
Clause 50 sets out how electors in favour of the proposal may nominate scrutineers.
Clause 51 sets out how nominations for scrutineers are to be lodged.
Clause 52 sets out how scrutineers will be appointed.
Clause 53 states that the selection of scrutineers will be signed by the Returning Officer.
Clause 54 states that persons selected to be scrutineers must also sign papers.
Clause 55 states that the powers and rights of scrutineers are the same as those of scutineers under the Electoral Act 1993.
Clause 56 states that any remuneration of scrutineers must not be paid out of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose of conducting a head of State referendum.
Clause 57 sets out the procedure for a vote recount.
Clause 58 sets out how sections of Electoral Act 1993 apply to a petition for inquiry under this Bill.
Clause 59 sets out the procedure for a petition for inquiry into the results of the head of State referendum.
Clause 60 states that the Court must determine whether the result of the referendum is void at the conclusion of the trial of a petition for an inquiry.
Clause 61 states that if a referendum is declared void, a new one must take place in the same manner within 30 working days.
Clause 62 sets out the maximum amount of candidate election expenses.
Clause 63 states that certain provisions of the Electoral Act 1993 apply as if a return by a constituency candidate were a return by a head of State candidate.
Clause 64 sets out the rules regarding publicity for election of head of State
Clause 65 states that certain parts of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000 apply as if the election of head of State were a referendum held under this Act.
Clause 66 states that the rights conferred and obligations imposed by the Treaty of Waitangi continue as if this Act had not been passed.
Schedule 1 sets out consequential amendments to other enactments.
Schedule 2 gives an example of the Head of State reconsideration voting paper to be used in the first referendum.
Schedule 3 gives examples of relevant forms for scrutineers and returning officers for the first referendum.
Schedule 4 gives an example of the form for a petition for inquiry as to result of first referendum on options for head of State.
Schedule 5 gives an example of the paper for nomination of candidate for head of State election.
Schedule 6 gives a general description of the STV system.
Schedule 7 gives an example of the voting paper for the election of head of State.
Schedule 8 gives examples of relevant forms for scrutineers and returning officers for the election of the head of State.
Schedule 9 gives an example of the form for petition for inquiry as to result of election of head of State.
Keith Locke
Head of State Referenda Bill
Member's Bill
92—1
Contents
Part 1
Referendum on whether to reconsider nature of head of State
6 Referendum on the nature of head of State
7 Application of Electoral Act 1993
8 Provisions subject to which first referendum to be taken
9 Nomination of scrutineers by electors in favour of proposal
10 Nomination paper to be lodged with Returning Officer
11 Returning Officer to select fit persons to appoint scrutineers
13 Appointments of scrutineer to be in writing
14 Powers and rights of scrutineers
15 Remuneration of scrutineers
Declaration of result by Returning Officer
19 Declaration of result of first referendum
20 Application to District Court Judge for recount
Declaration of result by Chief Electoral Officer
22 Sections of Electoral Act 1993 apply
24 Determination of court as to result
26 Interfering with or influencing voters
27 Power to remove statements, names, emblems, slogans, or logos
Part 2
Referendum for options for head of State
30 Second referendum on options for head of State
31 Wording of voting paper of second referendum
32 Referendum rolls for second referendum
33 Implementation of result of second referendum
34 Application of Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000
Consequential amendments and repeals
35 Consequential amendments and repeals
Part 3
Head of State appointment by resolution of House of Representatives
36 Resolution of House of Representatives for head of State
37 Provision for further votes
38 Declaration of final result
39 Term of office of head of State
40 Reappointment of head of State
Part 4
Election of head of State
41 Nomination of candidate for election of head of State
42 Qualification for nomination
43 Nomination paper to be lodged with Chief Electoral Officer
44 Application of Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000
Declaration of result by Returning Officer
47 Declaration of result of election of head of State
48 Term of office of head of State
49 Re-election of head of State
50 Nomination of scrutineers by electors in favour of proposal
51 Nomination paper to be lodged with Returning Officer
52 Returning Officer to select fit persons to appoint scrutineers
54 Appointments of scrutineers to be in writing
55 Powers and rights of scrutineers
56 Remuneration of scrutineers not expenses of referendum
57 Application to District Court Judge for recount
58 Application of Electoral Act 1993
60 Determination of court as to result
Maximum amount of election expenses
62 Maximum amounts of candidate election expenses
63 Transmission of copy of return to Chief Electoral Officer
64 Publicity for election of head of State
65 Application of Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000
Schedule 1
Consequential amendments to other enactments
Schedule 4
Petition for inquiry as to result of first referendum on options for head of State
Schedule 6
Meek’s method of counting votes
Schedule 9
Petition for inquiry as to result of election of head of State
The Parliament of New Zealand enacts as follows:
1 Title
This Act is the Head of State Referenda Act 2009.
2 Commencement
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(1) Except as provided in subsections (2) to (4), this Act comes into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent.
(2) Part 2 comes into force on the day on which the Returning Officer makes, in accordance with section 21(4), a declaration that a proposal favouring reconsideration of the head of State is carried, following a referendum carried out under Part 1.
(3) Subject to section 21(4), Part 3 and Schedule 1 come into force on the day on which the Clerk of the House of Representatives makes, in accordance with section 38, a declaration that a proposal favouring a head of State appointed by the House of Representatives is carried, following a referendum carried out under Part 2.
(4) Part 4, and Schedules 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of this Act come into force on the day on which the Returning Officer makes, in accordance with section 49 of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000, a declaration that the proposal favouring election of the head of State is carried, following a referendum carried out under Part 2 of this Act.
3 Purpose
The purpose of this Act is to––
(a) provide for the holding, in conjunction with the general election, of a referendum on whether to continue with the Sovereign as New Zealand’s head of State or whether to change to either a head of State appointed by a vote of at least 75% of the House of Representatives, or a head of State directly elected by the people; and
(b) subject to paragraph (a), provide for the holding of a further referendum on the two options that gain the most votes in the first referendum.
4 Interpretation
In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,—
candidate means any person who has been nominated as a candidate for the election of head of State
election means an election of a candidate for head of State
elector means a person registered as an elector of an electoral district
electoral district or electorate means a General electoral district or a Maori electoral district constituted under sections 35 and 270 of the Electoral Act 1993
general election means an election that takes place after the dissolution or expiration of Parliament
Meek’s method of counting votes is the method of counting votes described in Schedule 6
polling day, in relation to any election, means the day appointed in the writ for that election for the polling to take place if a poll is required
Sovereign means––
(a) the Sovereign in right of New Zealand:
(b) the Governor-General appointed by the Sovereign as the Sovereign’s representative in New Zealand.
5 Act binds the Crown
This Act binds the Crown.
Part 1
Referendum on whether to reconsider nature of head of State
First referendum
6 Referendum on the nature of head of State
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(1) On the polling day appointed for the general election immediately following the commencement of this Act, a referendum of the electors of each district must be taken on proposals either to continue with the Sovereign as head of State, or to change to either a head of State appointed by a vote of at least 75% of the House of Representatives, or a head of State directly elected by the people.
(2) For the purposes of this Act, the referendum required by subsection (1) is referred to as the first referendum.
(3) The proposals concerning New Zealand’s head of State that are the subject of the first referendum are to be submitted in the voting paper in the form set out in Schedule 2.
General provisions
7 Application of Electoral Act 1993
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(1) Subject to the provisions of this Act and of any regulations made under this Act, the provisions of the Electoral Act 1993 and of any regulations made under that Act, as far as they are applicable and with any necessary modifications, apply as if the first referendum conducted under section 6 were an electoral poll.
(2) The provisions of the Electoral Act 1993 and of any regulations made under that Act, unless the context otherwise requires, apply for the purposes of the first referendum as if all references to the ballot paper were references to the voting paper.
(3) No writ is issued under the Electoral Act 1993 for the conduct of the first referendum.
8 Provisions subject to which first referendum to be taken
For the purposes of conducting the first referendum,––
(a) the Returning Officer of the electoral district must be the Returning Officer, and the Deputy Returning Officers appointed by the Returning Officer for the taking of the electoral poll must be the Deputy Returning Officers, for the taking of the first referendum:
(b) the polling place officials, interpreters, and ushers appointed for the taking of the electoral poll must, by virtue of being so appointed, be, in addition, polling place officials, interpreters, and ushers for the taking of the first referendum:
(c) the polling places in each electoral district for the taking of the electoral poll must be the same as those used for the taking of the first referendum.
Scrutineers
9 Nomination of scrutineers by electors in favour of proposal
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(1) Any 10 or more electors who are in favour of any of the proposals for the purposes of the first referendum, described under the heading
“Head of State reconsideration”
in the form set out in Schedule 2, may by nomination paper nominate any 2 specified persons to appoint 1 scrutineer to act at each polling place in the district in the interests of all electors who are in favour of that proposal.(2) The nomination paper must be in form 1 of Schedule 3.
10 Nomination paper to be lodged with Returning Officer
The nomination paper must be lodged with the Returning Officer of the electoral district not later than the 12th day before the date fixed for the holding of the first referendum or before polling day, and must be open to public inspection.
11 Returning Officer to select fit persons to appoint scrutineers
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(1) On a day to be publicly notified by the Returning Officer for the electoral district, but not earlier than the tenth day nor later than the fifth day before the day set for the holding of the first referendum or before polling day, the Returning Officer must publicly consider all the nomination papers lodged.
(2) The Returning Officer must, after hearing all objections, select 2 fit persons to appoint 1 scrutineer to act at each polling booth in the interests of all electors, and the persons so selected may appoint accordingly.
12 Selection to be in writing
The selection of scrutineers under section 11(2) must be signed by the Returning Officer and must be in form 2 of Schedule 3.
13 Appointments of scrutineer to be in writing
The appointment of scrutineers under section 11(2) must in each case be signed by the persons selected, and must be in form 3 of Schedule 3.
14 Powers and rights of scrutineers
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(1) Every scrutineer who is appointed has, for the purposes of the first referendum, all the powers and rights of a scrutineer under the Electoral Act 1993, and must make a declaration in form 1 of Schedule 2 of the Electoral Act 1993 (which form must be used with all necessary modifications).
(2) Without limiting subsection (1), a scrutineer––
(a) may be present at the office of the Registrar of Electors when the Registrar of Electors is performing his or her duties under section 172 of the Electoral Act 1993 (as applied by this Act) in relation to declarations in respect of special votes, but not more than 1 scrutineer per proposal may be present at the office of the Registrar of Electors at any time; and
(b) may be present at the scrutiny of the rolls conducted by the Returning Officer under section 175 of the Electoral Act 1993 (as applied by this Act), but only 1 scrutineer per proposal, or such greater number as is permitted by the Returning Officer, may be present at the scrutiny of the rolls at any time.
15 Remuneration of scrutineers
The remuneration (if any) of the scrutineers must not be paid out of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose of conducting the first referendum.
The ballot
16 Method of voting
Every voter at the first referendum must vote by marking the voting paper with a tick immediately after the proposal for which the voter wishes to vote.
17 Spoilt ballot papers
Section 169 of the Electoral Act 1993 has effect for the purposes of the first referendum as if “not having deposited any part of the voter’s voting paper in the ballot box”, were substituted for “not having deposited his or her ballot paper in the ballot box”.
18 Counting of votes
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(1) The Returning Officer must reject as informal––
(a) a voting paper or a piece of voting paper that does not bear the official mark if there is reasonable cause to believe that it was not issued to a voter by any Deputy Returning Officer or a poll clerk authorised by a Deputy Returning Officer to issue ordinary voting papers; and
(b) a voting paper or piece of a voting paper that does not clearly indicate the proposal for which the voter desired to vote.
(2) No voting paper or piece of a voting paper may be rejected as informal only by reason of some error or omission on the part of an official, if the Returning Officer is satisfied that the voter was qualified to vote at the referendum.
Declaration of result by Returning Officer
19 Declaration of result of first referendum
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(1) Where all the voting papers for the first referendum have been dealt with in accordance with section 178 of the Electoral Act 1993 (as applied by this Act), the Returning Officer, having ascertained the total number of votes recorded for each proposal described in the voting paper under the heading “Head of State reconsideration”, must declare the result of the referendum in the electoral district by giving public notice of the total number of votes recorded for each proposal.
(2) Section 179 of the Electoral Act 1993 does not apply in relation to the first referendum.
Recount
20 Application to District Court Judge for recount
If any result of the binding referendum is disputed on the ground that the public declaration by the Returning Officer in accordance with section 19(1) was incorrect, the following provisions apply:
(a) any 6 electors may, within 3 working days after the public declaration, apply to a District Court Judge for a recount of the votes:
(b) every application must be accompanied by a deposit of $200 (which deposit is inclusive of goods and services tax):
(c) the District Court Judge must cause a recount of the votes to be commenced within 3 working days of receiving the application, and must give notice in writing to the applicants and to any scrutineers appointed under section 11(2) of the time and place at which the recount will be made:
(d) sections 180, 182, and 184 of the Electoral Act 1993, so far as they are applicable and with the necessary modifications, apply to the recount.
Declaration of result by Chief Electoral Officer
21 Result of first referendum
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(1) After the Returning Officer has made a public declaration in accordance with section 19(1), and after the time for an application for a recount has elapsed, the Returning Officer must send to the Chief Electoral Officer a statement of––
(a) the total number of valid votes cast in respect of the voting paper; and
(b) the number of valid votes recorded for each proposal in the voting paper.
(2) On receipt of the statements from all Returning Officers, the Chief Electoral Officer must ascertain the total number of valid votes cast for each of the head of State proposals.
(3) If a majority of the valid votes cast favour any one of the proposals, that proposal is carried.
(4) After ascertaining the results of the referendum in accordance with the provisions of this section, the Chief Electoral Officer must declare, by notice in the Gazette,––
(a) the results of the referendum; and
(b) which proposal is carried.
Petitions
22 Sections of Electoral Act 1993 apply
Sections 235 to 262 of the Electoral Act 1993, with any necessary modifications, apply to a petition for an inquiry under section 23 of this Act.
23 Petition for inquiry
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(1) Where any 50 electors in an electoral district are dissatisfied with the result of the first referendum in their district, they may, within 20 working days after the Returning Officer has made a public declaration in accordance with section 19(1), file a petition in the High Court for an inquiry as to the conduct of the referendum or of any person connected with it.
(2) If the petition complains of the conduct of a Returning Officer or Registrar of Electors, the person complained of must be a respondent to the petition.
(3) The petition must allege the specific grounds on which the complaint is founded, and no other grounds than those stated may be investigated, except by leave of the court and upon reasonable notice being given, which leave may be given upon such terms and conditions as the court considers just.
(4) Evidence may be given that the total number of votes cast for any proposal was higher or lower than that given in the public declaration made under section 19(1).
(5) A petition must be in the form set out in Schedule 4 and must be filed in the registry of the High Court nearest to the place where the referendum was held. The Registrar of the Court must send a copy of the petition to the Returning Officer.
(6) The petition must be served as nearly as may be in the manner in which a statement of claim is served, or in such other manner as may be prescribed by rules of Court.
24 Determination of court as to result
At the conclusion of the trial of a petition for an inquiry, the court must determine whether, because of some irregularity that in its opinion materially affected the result of the referendum, the referendum is void, or whether the number of votes declared for the proposal contained in the public declaration made under section 19(1) was wrong.
25 Fresh referendum
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(1) Where a referendum is determined by the court to be void under section 24, the court must notify the Returning Officer and a fresh referendum must be taken not less than 30 working days after the date of the notification.
(2) Any fresh referendum must be taken in the same manner as the previous referendum, using the same roll of electors.
Miscellaneous provisions
26 Interfering with or influencing voters
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(1) Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 who, at the first referendum,––
(a) in any way interferes with any elector, either in the polling booth or while the elector is on the way to the polling booth, with the intention of influencing the elector or advising the elector as to the elector’s vote:
(b) at any time on the day on which the referendum is held before the close of the poll in view or hearing of any public place, holds or takes part in any demonstration or procession having direct or indirect reference to the referendum, by any means whatsoever:
(c) subject to subsection (2), at any time on the day on which the referendum is held before the close of the poll, makes any statement having direct or indirect reference to the referendum, by means of any loudspeaker or public address apparatus or cinematograph or television apparatus:
(d) at any time before the close of the poll, conducts in relation to the referendum a public opinion poll of persons voting before the day on which the referendum is held:
(e) at any time on the day on which the referendum is held before the close of the poll, conducts a public opinion poll in relation to the referendum:
(f) at any time on the day on which the referendum is held before the close of the poll, or at any time on any of the 3 days immediately preceding that day, prints or distributes or delivers to any person any thing being or purporting to be in imitation of the voting paper to be used at the poll, together with any direction or indication as to the proposal for which the elector should or should not vote, or in any way containing any such direction or indication, or containing any matter likely to influence any vote:
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(g) subject to subsection (3), at any time on the day on which the referendum is held before the close of the poll, exhibits in or in view of any public place, or publishes or distributes or broadcasts,––
(i) any statement advising or intended or likely to influence any elector as to the proposal for which the elector should or should not vote; or
(ii) any statement advising or intended or likely to influence any elector to abstain from voting; or
(iii) any name, emblem, slogan, or logo identified with any proposal to which the referendum relates or with any proponent of any such proposal; or
(iv) any ribbons, streamers, rosettes, or items of a similar nature in colours that are identified with any proposal to which the referendum relates or with any proponent of any such proposal:
(h) at any time on the day on which the referendum is held before the close of the poll, prints or distributes or delivers to any person any card or paper (whether or not it is an imitation voting paper) containing the proposals to which the referendum relates or any of them:
(i) exhibits or leaves in any polling booth any card or paper containing any direction or indication as to how any person should vote or as to the method of voting:
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(j) subject to any regulations made under this Act, at any time on the day on which the referendum is held before the close of the poll, within, or at the entrance to, or in the vicinity of, any polling place,––
(i) gives or offers to give any person any written or oral information derived from a main or supplementary roll as to any name or number on the main roll or any supplementary roll being used at the election:
(ii) permits or offers to permit any person to examine any copy of the main roll or any supplementary roll being used at the election.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1)(c) restricts the publication by radio or television broadcast made by a broadcaster within the meaning of section 2 of the Broadcasting Act 1989 of––
(a) any advertisement placed by the Chief Electoral Officer or a Returning Officer; or
(b) any non-partisan advertisement broadcast, as a community service, by a broadcaster within the meaning of section 2 of the Broadcasting Act 1989; or
(c) any news in relation to the referendum.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1)(g) applies to
(a) any statement, name, emblem, slogan, or logo in a newspaper published before 6 pm on the day before the day on which the referendum is held:
(b) any statement, name, emblem, slogan, or logo which does not relate specifically to the referendum and which is exhibited before the day on which the referendum is held in a fixed position and in relation to the New Zealand or regional or campaign headquarters (not being mobile headquarters) of a proponent of a proposal to which the referendum relates on the day on which the referendum is held:
(c) the publication of the name of any proponent of a proposal to which the referendum is related in any news which relates to the referendum and which is published in a newspaper or other periodical or in a radio or television broadcast made by a broadcaster within the meaning of section 2 of the Broadcasting Act 1989:
(d) ribbons, streamers, rosettes, or items of a similar nature that are worn or displayed by any person (not being an electoral official) on his or her person or on any vehicle in colours that are identified with any proposal to which the referendum relates or with any proponent of any such proposal or to a lapel badge worn by any person (not being an electoral official).
(4) It is a defence to a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1)(g) that relates to the exhibition in or in view of a public place of a statement, name, emblem, slogan, or logo, if the defendant proves that––
(a) the exhibition was inadvertent; and
(b) the defendant caused the exhibition to cease as soon as the defendant was notified by a Returning Officer or a Deputy Returning Officer that the exhibition was taking place.
(5) Nothing in this section applies to any official statement or announcement made or exhibited under the authority of this Act or the Electoral Act 1993.
(6) Section 197 of the Electoral Act 1993 does not apply in relation to the first referendum.
27 Power to remove statements, names, emblems, slogans, or logos
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(1) The Returning Officer may at any time on the day on which the referendum is held before the close of the poll cause to be removed or obliterated any of the following that may be exhibited in or in view of any public place:
(a) any statement advising or intended or likely to influence any elector as to the proposal for which the elector should or should not vote; or
(b) any statement advising or intended or likely to influence any elector to abstain from voting; or
(c) any name, emblem, slogan, or logo identified with any proposal to which the first referendum relates or any proponent of any such proposal.
(2) Nothing in subsection (1)(c) applies to ribbons, streamers, rosettes, or items of a similar nature which are worn or displayed by any person (whether on his or her person or on any vehicle) in colours that are identified with any proposal or option to which the referendum relates or with any proponent of any such proposal or option or to a lapel badge worn by any person.
(3) Nothing in subsection (1) applies to a statement, name, emblem, slogan, or logo which does not relate specifically to the referendum and which was exhibited before the day on which the referendum is held in a fixed position and in relation to the New Zealand or regional or campaign headquarters (not being mobile headquarters) of a proponent of a proposal or option to which the referendum relates.
(4) All expenses incurred by the Returning Officer in carrying out the power conferred by subsection (1) may be recovered by the Returning Officer from the persons by whom or by whose direction the statement, name, emblem, slogan, or logo was exhibited, as a debt due by them jointly and severally to the Crown.
(5) Section 198 of the Electoral Act 1993 does not apply in relation to the referendum.
28 Offences
Every person commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $2,000 who, at the first referendum,––
(a) except in accordance with any regulations made under the Electoral Act 1993 or this Act in relation to special voters, obtains possession of or has in his or her possession any voting paper other than the one given to him or her by the Returning Officer or Deputy Returning Officer for the purpose of recording his or her vote, or retains any voting paper in his or in her possession after leaving the polling booth; or
(b) does or omits to do an act (other than an act to which section 26 of this Act applies) that if done or omitted to be done at an electoral poll would be an offence under the Electoral Act 1993.
29 Regulations
The Governor-General may from time to time, by Order in Council, make regulations for all or any of the following purposes:
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(a) applying, with or without modifications, for the purposes of this Act, any of the following provisions:
(i) the provisions of sections 174 to 177 and of sections 187 to 190 of the Electoral Act 1993:
(ii) the provisions of any regulations made under the Electoral Act 1993:
(iii) prescribing forms for the purposes of this Act:
(b) prescribing the time at which, and the manner in which, special voters may vote (whether at a polling place or not and whether in or outside New Zealand) at the first referendum:
(c) prescribing conditions upon or subject to which special voters may vote at the first referendum:
(d) prescribing, for the purposes of the first referendum, different methods of voting for different classes of special voters:
(e) providing for such other matters as are contemplated by or necessary for giving full effect to the provisions of this Act and for its administration.
-
Part 2
Referendum for options for head of State
Second referendum
30 Second referendum on options for head of State
Subject to section 21(3), within the 12-month period immediately following the first referendum, a further referendum (the second referendum) must be taken on the two options for head of State that polled the most votes in the first referendum.
31 Wording of voting paper of second referendum
The wording of the voting paper to be put to electors in the second referendum is specified by the Governor-General by Order in Council. The voting paper must not be substantially dissimilar to that in the form set out in Schedule 2.
32 Referendum rolls for second referendum
The referendum roll used for the second referendum must be the same as that used for the first referendum, without any updating or modification.
33 Implementation of result of second referendum
-
(1) If a majority of voters at the second referendum vote for the continuation of existing arrangements, those arrangements are continued for the time being.
(2) The Governor-General becomes New Zealand’s head of State and remains so until a replacement is appointed or elected if a majority of voters at the second referendum vote for either––
(a) a head of State appointed by resolution of 75% or more of members of the House of Representatives; or
(b) a head of State to be elected at the next following general election.
(3) A head of State appointed or elected under this Act may exercise all the powers and functions which were exercised by the Sovereign prior to the coming into force of this Act, in accordance with the constitutional conventions which applied to the exercise of those powers and functions.
34 Application of Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000
The provisions of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000, with any necessary modifications, apply for the purposes of the second referendum.
Consequential amendments and repeals
35 Consequential amendments and repeals
-
(1) The Constitution Act 1986 is amended in the manner set out in Schedule 1.
(2) The Oaths and Declarations Act 1957 is amended in the manner set out in Schedule 1.
(3) Every reference in any enactment to the Queen, the Sovereign, or the Governor-General is to be read as a reference to the head of State.
(4) Every reference in any enactment to a Minister of the Crown is to be read as a reference to a Minister.
Part 3
Head of State appointment by resolution of House of Representatives
36 Resolution of House of Representatives for head of State
-
(1) As soon as practicable after the declaration of the result of a referendum in favour of a head of State to be appointed by resolution of the House of Representatives, in accordance with section 33(2)(a), every member nominating a person as head of State must give notice of a motion to be moved in respect of that person.
(2) Notices given under subsection (1) must be voted on in the order in which they are lodged, on a day or days to be determined by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, following consultation with the political parties represented in Parliament.
(3) The first nominee to receive 75% or more of votes cast by the House of Representatives is the appointed head of State.
37 Provision for further votes
-
(1) Where no nomination for head of State receives 75% or more of votes cast, the nomination receiving the lowest percentage of the vote must be discarded, and the votes recast. This process must be repeated until a nomination receives 75% or more of the votes cast.
(2) Any further votes under subsection (1) take place on a day and in an order to be determined by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, following consultation with the political parties represented in Parliament.
38 Declaration of final result
The Clerk of the House of Representatives must declare the final decision of the House of Representatives by notification in the Gazette.
39 Term of office of head of State
The head of State appointed by resolution of the House of Representatives under section 36 holds office for a period not exceeding 5 years.
40 Reappointment of head of State
On the expiry of the term of office of the head of State, a subsequent head of State must be appointed by resolution of the House of Representatives in accordance with section 36.
Part 4
Election of head of State
Nomination of head of State
41 Nomination of candidate for election of head of State
-
(1) As soon as possible, but not more than 6 months after the declaration of the result of the second referendum, in accordance with section 38, any 500 or more electors who wish to nominate a candidate for the election of head of State may nominate any 1 specified person as a candidate.
(2) The nomination paper is in the form set out in Schedule 5.
(3) The nomination paper must be forwarded to the Chief Electoral Officer and include original signatures and sufficient information for the Chief Electoral Officer to determine whether the signatories are electors.
42 Qualification for nomination
Every elector is qualified to be nominated as a candidate for the election of head of State.
43 Nomination paper to be lodged with Chief Electoral Officer
The nomination paper must be lodged with the Chief Electoral Officer not less than 30 days before the date fixed for the election of head of State.
The ballot
44 Application of Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000
The provisions of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000, with any necessary modifications, apply for the purposes of the election of head of State.
45 Method of voting
-
(1) The head of State election must be conducted by the Single Transferable Voting electoral system (STV) using Meek’s method of counting votes, in accordance with Schedule 6.
(2) The voting paper is in the form set out in Schedule 7.
46 Counting of votes
-
(1) The Returning Officer must reject as informal––
(a) any voting paper that does not bear the official mark if there is reasonable cause to believe that it was not issued to a voter by any Deputy Returning Officer or a poll clerk authorised by a Deputy Returning Officer to issue ordinary voting papers; and
(b) a voting paper that does not clearly indicate the proposal for which the voter desired to vote.
(2) No voting paper may be rejected as informal only by reason of some error or omission on the part of an official, if the Returning Officer is satisfied that the voter was qualified to vote at the election.
(3) If the election of head of State has been taken with the general election poll, the manager of every polling place must ensure that the preliminary count of the party votes and the electorate votes, and the reporting of the result to the Returning Officer, take priority over the counting of the votes for the election of head of State. The counting of votes for the election of head of State takes priority over the counting of the votes of a referendum under any Act.
Declaration of result by Returning Officer
47 Declaration of result of election of head of State
-
(1) Section 42 of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000 applies for the purposes of counting the votes under section 46, with any necessary modifications.
(2) Where all the voting papers for the election of head of State have been dealt with in accordance with section 42 of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000, the Returning Officer must declare the result of the election by giving public notice of the total number of votes recorded for each candidate.
(3) After ascertaining the results of the election in accordance with the provisions of this section, the Returning Officer must declare, by notice in the Gazette,––
(a) the results of the election; and
(b) the name of the elected head of State.
48 Term of office of head of State
The head of State elected by electors under this Part holds office for a period not exceeding 5 years.
49 Re-election of head of State
On expiry of the term of office of the head of State, a subsequent head of State must be elected by electors in accordance with the necessary provisions of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000.
Scrutineers
50 Nomination of scrutineers by electors in favour of proposal
-
(1) Any 10 or more electors who are in favour of any of the nominated candidates for the purposes of the second referendum, described under the heading “Election of head of State” in the form set out in Schedule 7 may by nomination paper nominate any 2 specified persons to appoint 1 scrutineer to observe the processing of voting papers in the interests of all electors who are in favour of that candidate.
(2) The nomination paper must be in form 1 of Schedule 8.
51 Nomination paper to be lodged with Returning Officer
The nomination paper must be lodged with the Returning Officer of the electoral district not later than the 12th day before the date fixed for the holding for the second referendum or before polling day, as the case may be, and must be open to public inspection.
52 Returning Officer to select fit persons to appoint scrutineers
-
(1) On a day to be publicly notified by the Returning Officer for the electoral district, but not earlier than the tenth day nor later than the fifth day before the day set for the holding of the second referendum or before polling day, as the case may be, the Returning Officer must publicly consider all the nomination papers lodged.
(2) The Returning Officer must, after hearing all objections, select 2 fit persons to appoint 1 scrutineer to observe the processing of voting papers in the interests of all electors; and the persons so selected may appoint accordingly.
53 Selection to be in writing
The selection of scrutineers under section 52(2) must be signed by the Returning Officer and must be in form 2 of Schedule 8.
54 Appointments of scrutineers to be in writing
The appointment of scrutineers under section 52(2) must in each case be signed by the persons selected, and must be in form 3 of Schedule 8.
55 Powers and rights of scrutineers
Every scrutineer who is appointed has, for the purposes of the election of head of State, all the powers and rights of a scrutineer under the Electoral Act 1993, and must make a declaration in the form set out in Schedule 2 of the Electoral Act 1993 (which form must be used with all necessary modifications).
56 Remuneration of scrutineers not expenses of referendum
The remuneration (if any) of the scrutineer must not be paid out of money appropriated by Parliament for the purpose of conducting a head of State referendum.
Recount
57 Application to District Court Judge for recount
If the result of the election of head of State is disputed on the ground that the public declaration by the Returning Officer in accordance with section 47(2) was incorrect, the following provisions apply:
(a) any 6 electors may, within 3 working days after the public declaration, apply to a District Court Judge for a recount of the votes:
(b) every application must be accompanied by a deposit of $200 (which deposit is inclusive of goods and services tax):
(c) the District Court Judge must cause a recount of the votes to be commenced within 3 working days of receiving the application, and must give notice in writing to the applicants and to any scrutineers appointed under section 52(2) of the time and place at which the recount will be made:
(d) sections 180, 182, and 184 of the Electoral Act 1993, so far as they are applicable and with the necessary modifications, apply to the recount.
Petitions
58 Application of Electoral Act 1993
Sections 235 to 262 of the Electoral Act 1993, with any necessary modifications, apply to a petition for an inquiry under section 59 of this Act.
59 Petition for inquiry
-
(1) Where any 500 electors are dissatisfied with the result of the election of head of State, they may, within 20 working days after the Returning Officer has made a public declaration in accordance with section 47(2), file a petition in the High Court for an inquiry as to the conduct of the election or of any person connected with it.
(2) If the petition complains of the conduct of a Returning Officer or Registrar of Electors, the person complained of must be a respondent to the petition.
(3) The petition must allege the specific grounds on which the complaint is founded, and no other grounds than those stated may be investigated, except by leave of the court and upon reasonable notice being given, which leave may be given upon such terms and conditions as the court considers just.
(4) Evidence may be given that the total number of votes cast for any head of State candidate was higher or lower than that given in the public declaration made under section 47(2), as the case requires.
(5) A petition must be in the form set out in Schedule 9 and must be filed in the registry of the High Court nearest to the place where the referendum was held. The Registrar of the Court must send a copy of the petition to the Returning Officer.
(6) The petition must be served as nearly as may be in the manner in which a statement of claim is served, or in such other manner as may be prescribed by rules of Court.
60 Determination of court as to result
At the conclusion of the trial of a petition for an inquiry, the court must determine whether, because of some irregularity that in its opinion materially affected the result of the election, the election is void, or whether the number of votes declared for the decision contained in the public declaration made under section 47(2) was wrong.
61 Fresh election
-
(1) Where a head of State election is determined by the court to be void under section 60, the court must notify the Returning Officer and a fresh election must be taken not less than 30 working days after the date of the notification.
(2) Any fresh election must be taken in the same manner as the previous election, using the same roll of electors.
Maximum amount of election expenses
62 Maximum amounts of candidate election expenses
-
(1) Section 205B of the Electoral Act 1993 applies, with any necessary modifications, to the maximum amount of candidate election expenditure for a head of State nominee, as if that nominee were a candidate for election for a seat in the House of Representatives.
(2) Section 214(a) and (b) of the Electoral Act 1993 apply, with any necessary modifications, to any group or organisation supporting the election of a candidate for the head of State election, as if that group or organisation were a political party, and the candidate were a candidate for election for a seat in the House of Representatives.
63 Transmission of copy of return to Chief Electoral Officer
Sections 205K, 205Q and 205R of the Electoral Act 1993 apply as if a return by a constituency candidate were a return by a head of State candidate.
Publicity
64 Publicity for election of head of State
-
(1) No person, group, or organisation may publish or cause or permit to be published in any newspaper, periodical, poster, or handbill, or broadcast or cause or permit to be broadcast over any radio or television station, any advertisement used or appearing to be used to promote one of the candidates in the head of State election unless the advertisement contains a statement setting out the true name of the person, group, or organisation for whom or at whose direction it is published and the address of his or her or their place of residence or business.
(2) Every person, group, or organisation commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000 who willingly contravenes subsection (1).
(3) Nothing in this section may restrict the publication of any news or comments relating to the election of head of State in a newspaper or other periodical or in a radio or television broadcast made by a broadcaster within the meaning of section 2 of the Broadcasting Act 1989.
Part 5
Offences
65 Application of Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000
Part 7 of the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000 applies, with any necessary modifications, as if the election of head of State were a referendum held under the Referenda (Postal Voting) Act 2000.
Part 6
Treaty of Waitangi
66 Treaty of Waitangi
The rights conferred and obligations imposed by the Treaty of Waitangi continue as if this Act had not been passed.
Schedule 1 |
s 35 |
Constitution Act 1986
Repeal Part 1 and substitute:
“2 Head of State
The person appointed or elected in accordance with the Head of State Referenda Act 2009 will be New Zealand’s head of State.”
Oaths and Declarations Act 1957
Omit from sections 17, 18, 20, and 21 “Her [or His] Majesty [specify the name of the reigning Sovereign, as thus: Queen Elizabeth the Second], Her [or His] heirs and successors” and substitute “New Zealand”.
Schedule 2 |
s 6(3) |
Form
Head of State reconsideration
Vote Here |
|
TICK ONE PROPOSAL |
|
I VOTE FOR THE SOVEREIGN TO CONTINUE AS NEW ZEALAND’S HEAD OF STATE |
|
I VOTE FOR A HEAD OF STATE TO BE APPOINTED BY A VOTE OF AT LEAST 75% OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES |
|
I VOTE FOR A HEAD OF STATE TO BE DIRECTLY ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE |
Note: The two options receiving the highest number of votes are subject to a final binding ballot.
Schedule 3 |
s 9(2) |
Form 1
Nomination of scrutineers for purposes of first referendum on options for head of State
1 For the purposes of the first referendum to be taken in the Electoral District on the day of 2 , we, the undersigned electors of the district, hereby nominate [full names, addresses and occupations of the 2 persons nominated] as fit persons to appoint one scrutineer to act at each polling booth in the interest of all electors who are in favour of the [specify proposal].
2 In support of our nomination we hereby severally, each for himself or herself, solemnly and sincerely declare that we are, and we believe each of the persons nominated to be, honestly in favour of the proposal.
We severally make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957.
Signature, Address, and Occupation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Severally declared by each of the [number] declarants whose signatures are subscribed hereto, this day of 2 , before me— |
||
|
JP [Solicitor, or as the case may be]. |
||
NOTE—Not less than 10 electors must sign. |
||
Form 2 |
s 12 |
Having considered the nominations duly lodged in this behalf, and having heard all objections thereto, I hereby select [full names, addresses, and occupations of the 2 persons selected, etc, (as above)] as fit persons to appoint one scrutineer to act at each polling booth at the first referendum for the Electoral District on the day of 2 , in the interest of all electors who are in favour of the [specify proposal].
Dated at this day of 2 .
, Returning Officer.
Form 3 |
s 13 |
To the Returning Officer
For the purposes of the first referendum for the Electoral District to be taken on the day of 2 we, the undersigned, being duly authorised in this behalf, hereby appoint the persons named in the Schedule hereto to act as scrutineers at the polling booths named in the Schedule, in the interest if all electors who are in favour of the [specify proposal].
Schedule
Scrutineer |
Polling booth |
[Full name, address, and occupation of the scrutineer] |
[Name of polling booth] |
Dated at this day of 2 .
[Signatures of the 2 persons authorised to appoint].
Schedule 4 |
s 23(5) |
Form
Petition for inquiry
In the matter of the first referendum held in the Electoral District on the day of 2 .
The petition of the undersigned electors of the Electoral District, namely, A.B, of , C.D, of , etc.
1 Your petitioners state that the first referendum was held on the day of 2 , and that the Returning Officer has given public notice that the total number of votes recorded for the proposal that [specify] was [specify].
-
2 And your petitioners say that [state the facts and grounds on which the petitioners rely].
Wherefore your petitioners pray that it may be determined that the total number of votes cast for the proposal was higher (or lower) than that given in the public notice [or that the referendum was void].
|
A.B, C.D, etc. |
Schedule 5 |
s 41(2) |
Form
Nomination of candidate for head of State election
To the Chief Electoral Officer
ELECTION
This nomination of a head of State candidate is made in relation to the election of a head of State for New Zealand.
THE PRINCIPAL NOMINATOR
Required
Surname |
Given names |
Registered address |
Signature |
DETAILS OF PERSON NOMINATED AS CANDIDATE
Surname |
Given names |
Registered address |
Signature |
CONSENT OF PERSON NOMINATED AS CANDIDATE
I, [name] being qualified to be a candidate, hereby consent to the above nomination.
The name that I wish to appear on the voting paper (being a name that is short enough to appear on the voting paper) is shown below
My telephone contact number is:
Signature of person nominated
Date / /
HOS. 1
Members of applicant group
Name |
Address |
Electoral District |
Signature |
THIS FORM SHOULD ACCOMPANY FORM HOS. 1, WITH THE NAMES, SIGNATURES AND ADDRESSES OF AT LEAST 500 NOMINATORS.
HOS. 2
Schedule 6 |
s 45(1) |
Part A
General description of Single Transferable Voting system used for elections
1 Single Transferable Voting System
Every Single Transferable Voting system for elections has the following features:
(a) voting by order of preference for the candidates:
(b) a quota for election, calculated from the number of votes and the number of positions to be filled:
(c) a first count of first preferences only, and the elections of any candidate who equals or exceeds the quota (except in the special case of a multi-way tie):
(d) redistribution of surplus votes (above the quota) for any candidate in accordance with the voter’s further preferences, and election of any candidate who then reaches the quota:
(e) when no further distribution of surpluses is possible, the exclusion of the candidate who then has the fewest votes, and redistribution of those votes:
(f) further counting, election, redistribution of surpluses, and exclusion, as necessary, until all positions for election are filled.
Part B
Features of Meek’s method of counting votes
Features of Meek’s method of counting votes that distinguish it from other methods of counting Single Transferable Votes
2 Vote transfer
Votes that are transferred to the next preference of the voter in the exact order indicated by the voter on the voting document unless the candidate has already been excluded.
3 Value of surpluses
The total value of a surplus or surpluses is shared in due proportion across both transferable and non-transferable voting documents.
4 Sharing of votes
If a candidate is elected later in the count, or an elected candidate received further votes, the surplus to be transferred is shared across all voting documents credited to that candidate in due proportions, not just across the voting documents that gave immediate rise to the surplus.
5 Recalculation of quota
As votes become non-transferable (because the number of preferences recorded in the voting document is exhausted), the quota is recalculated to reflect the smaller total of votes remaining active.
6 Need for computer technology
Because the procedure required to conduct a count using Meek’s method of counting votes requires a candidate to be assigned a scaling factor (a keep value) representing the proportion of each vote that will actually be credited to each candidate, the number of calculations involved requires the count to be conducted using computer technology rather than by means of a manual count.
General description of Meek’s method of counting votes
7 Algorithm and article
Meek’s method of counting votes requires the use of Algorithm 123 in the form described in an article in The Computer Journal (UK), Vol 30, No 3, 1987, pp 277–81 (the article). (A discussion of the mathematical equations that prove the existence and uniqueness of the method is set out in the article).
8 Authority for modifications
Algorithm 123 (in the form described in the article) and the formulas and procedures proposed in the article may, for the purposes of designing a computer program to implement Meek’s method of counting votes, incorporate the following modifications:
(a) the formula used for determining the quota for election quoted in paragraph 2.5 of the article, (ie,
“total votes—total excess)/(number of seats plus 1)”
), may be modified by adding the figure 0.000000001 to the product of that calculation (any remainder after the ninth decimal digit being disregarded). (The addition of one-billionth of a vote to the quota removes the unlikely possibility of a tie):
(b) any other modification authorised by regulations made under this Act.
Duties of programmers and certifiers
9 Duties of programmers
Every person responsible for the design of a computer program intended to implement Meek’s method of counting votes must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the program produces outcomes that are consistent with Algorithm 123 in the form described in the article and any authorised modifications.
10 Duties of certifiers
A computer program may not be used at any election or poll under this Act for the purpose of implementing Meek’s method of counting votes unless a certifier appointed for the purpose by the Secretary for Local Government has first certified that the program produces outcomes that are consistent with Algorithm 123 (in the form described in the article) and any authorised modifications.
11 Technical description
-
(1) For the purposes of assisting programmers and certifiers to perform the duties imposed by clauses 9 and 10, a technical description of the processes involved in the implementation of Algorithm 123 (in the form described in the article) and the preparation of computer programs (incorporating any or all of the modifications authorised under clause 8) may be prescribed by regulations made under this Act.
(2) The description referred to in subclause (1) may include material in 1 or more computer languages or other code.
Part C
General description of process used to conduct count at election under system of Single Transferable Voting using Meek’s method of counting votes
12 Purpose of Part C
-
(1) The purpose of clauses 13 to 25 is to provide voters, local authorities, and electoral officials with a general explanation of the process used to conduct an election under the system of Single Transferable Voting using Meek’s method of counting votes (incorporating the modification referred to in clause 8(a)).
(2) Clauses 13 to 25 do not affect the interpretation or application of the other provisions of this Act or any regulations made under this Act.
13 Interpretation
In clauses 13 to 25, unless the context otherwise requires,—
non-transferable vote means a voting document on which no next preference for a non-excluded candidate is indicated or can be identified by the electoral officer
surplus means the number of votes that a candidate obtains at any stage of the counting of votes in excess of the quota
total surplus means the sum of all candidates’ surpluses at any stage of the counting of votes.
Head of State vacancy
14 Election to fill head of State vacancy
-
(1) Before commencing the official count, the electoral officer rejects as informal any voting document on which the voter’s first preference is not able to be determined.
(2) The number of valid voting documents is determined.
(3) The absolute majority of votes is the number of votes sufficient to secure the election of any candidate for head of State. It is determined by dividing the total number of valid votes, excluding non-transferable votes, by 2. If the number is not a whole number, the quotient is rounded up to the next whole number.
15 First preference votes
-
(1) The number of first preference votes recorded for each candidate is determined and recorded.
(2) If any candidate obtains an absolute majority of votes, that candidate is treated as being elected and the count ceases.
(3) If no candidate has an absolute majority of votes, the candidate who has the fewest votes is excluded and each voting document for that candidate, unless it is non-transferable, is counted to the candidate next in the order of the elector’s preference.
(4) This process is continued until 1 candidate has an absolute majority of votes.
16 Equal votes
If, on any count, 2 or more candidates have an equal number of votes and 1 of them has to be excluded, the electoral officer determines which candidate has the fewest votes the first time the candidate’s totals were different and excludes the candidate with the lowest total votes.
17 Ties
If the candidates had an equal number of votes at all stages of the count, a random (or pseudo-random) process is used to choose which candidate is excluded.
Formulas
18 Quota
-
The quota is calculated (to 9 decimal digits after the point with any remainder being disregarded) in accordance with the following formula: q =
v
+ 0.000000001
n + 1
where— q is the quota v is the total number of valid votes, less the number of non-transferable votes n is the total number of members to be elected.
19 Keep value
-
(1) When a candidate’s votes exceed the quota, a new keep value is calculated in accordance with the following formula:
k =
ck × q
cv where—
- k
- is the candidate’s new keep value
- ck
- is the candidate’s current keep value
- q
- is the current quota
- cv
- is the candidate’s current votes.
(2) In calculating the keep value under subclause (1), both the multiplication and the division are taken to 9 decimal digits after the point and, in each case, rounded up if not exact.
20 General procedure
-
(1) The number of valid voting documents is counted and the quota determined. The quota is adjusted downwards as voting documents become non-transferable.
(2) At each stage in the count, each candidate has an associated keep value, which indicates the proportion of every vote, or part of a vote, received by that candidate that is kept by him or her.
(3) Each candidate’s keep value is initially set at 1.0, and that candidate retains the full value of all votes, or parts of votes, received. If any candidate withdraws, that candidate’s keep value is set to 0.0.
(4) If a candidate reaches the current quota for election, a new keep value is calculated, indicating the value of each vote or part of a vote retained by him or her.
(5) A candidate is excluded at any stage of the count if the sum of his or her votes and the total surplus is less than the votes of any other non-excluded candidate.
(6) If a candidate is excluded, his or her keep value is set to 0.0.
(7) Any candidate whose votes equal or exceed the current quota is elected.
Counting of votes
21 The first iteration
-
(1) The votes credited to each candidate are set to 0.0.
(2) Non-transferable votes are set to 0.0.
(3) The first preferences for the candidates are tallied and the initial quota is determined.
(4) Any candidate whose votes equal or exceed the current quota is elected.
22 Second and subsequent iterations
-
(1) A new value of the quota is calculated to allow for any increases in non-transferable votes.
(2) A new keep value for each elected candidate is calculated.
(3) The votes are recounted using the latest keep values, which automatically perform the required redistributions, and increase the non-transferable votes, if relevant
(4) Any candidate whose vote now equals or exceeds the current quota is elected.
(5) If the sum of the lowest candidate’s votes and the total surplus is less than the votes of any other non-excluded candidate, or if the total surplus is less than 0.0001, the lowest candidate is excluded and his or her keep value reset to 0.0.
(6) Iterations continue until the required number of members are elected.
23 Equal votes
If, on any count, 2 or more candidates have an equal number of votes and 1 of them has to be excluded, the electoral officer determines which candidate had the fewest votes the first time the candidate’s totals were different and excludes the candidate with the lowest total votes.
24 Ties
If the candidates had an equal number of votes at all stages of the count, a random (or pseudo-random) process is used to choose which candidate is excluded.
Part D
Application to polls
25 Application to polls
Clauses 1 to 24 apply in relation to the counting of Single Transferable Votes cast in polls using Meek’s method of counting votes, with any necessary modifications, as if every reference to a candidate were a reference to a proposal.
Schedule 7 |
s 45(2) |
Form
Election of head of State
Number candidates in order of preference |
Number Here |
|
Start with a ‘1’ for your most preferred candidate |
|
Rank as many or as few of the candidates as you wish |
SURNAME, First name and any other names
(listed alphabetically by surname)
Schedule 8 |
s 50(2) |
Form 1
Nomination paper
1. For the purposes of the election of the head of State to be taken in the Electoral District on the day of 2 , we, the undersigned electors of the district, hereby nominate [full names, addresses, and occupations of the 2 persons nominated] as fit persons to appoint one scrutineer to act at each polling booth in the interest of all electors who are in favour of [specify candidate] as a candidate for the election of the head of State.
2. In support of our nomination we hereby severally, each for himself or herself, solemnly and sincerely declare that we are, and we believe each of the persons nominated to be, honestly in favour of the candidate.
We severally make this solemn declaration conscientiously believing in the same to be true, and by virtue of the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957.
Signature, Address, and Occupation
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Severally declared by each of the [number] declarants whose signatures are subscribed hereto, this day of 2 , before me— |
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................................. JP [Solicitor, or as the case may be]. |
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NOTE—Not less than 10 electors must sign. |
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Form 2 |
s 53 |
Having considered the nominations duly lodged in this behalf, and having heard all objections thereto, I hereby select [full names, addresses, and occupations of the 2 persons selected, etc, (as above)] as fit persons to appoint one scrutineer to act at each polling booth at the election of head of State for the Electoral District on the day of 2 , in the interest of all electors who are in favour of [specify candidate].
Dated at this day of 2 .
, Returning Officer.
Form 3 |
s 54 |
To the Returning Officer
For the purposes of the election of head of State for the Electoral District to be taken on the day of 2 we, the undersigned, being duly authorised in this behalf, hereby appoint the persons named in this Schedule hereto to act as scrutineers, in the polling booths named in this Schedule, in the interest of all electors who are in favour of [specify candidate].
Schedule
Scrutineer |
Polling booth |
[Full name, address, and occupation of the scrutineer] |
[Name of polling booth] |
Dated at this day of 2 .
[Signatures of the 2 persons authorised to appoint].
Schedule 9 |
s 59(5) |
Form
Petition for inquiry
In the matter of the election of head of State held in the Electoral District on the day of 2 .
The petition of the undersigned electors of the Electoral District, namely, A.B, of , C.D, of etc.
1. Your petitioners state that the election of head of State was held on the day of 2 , and that the Returning Officer has given public notice that the total number of votes recorded for the candidate [specify] was [specify].
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2. And your petitioners say that [state the facts and grounds on which the petitioners rely].
Wherefore your petitioners pray that it may be determined that the total number of votes cast for the candidate was higher (or lower) than that given in the public notice [or that the election was void].
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A.B, C.D, etc. |
"Related Legislation
"Related Legislation
"Related Legislation
Versions
Head of State Referenda Bill
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